SILCHAR: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has expressed serious concern over the growing resentment in Barak Valley following the recent Sribhumi incident, alleging that an ordinary altercation between two groups was given an ethnic colour and followed by police excesses against innocent citizens.

Addressing a press conference at the BDF office on Wednesday, Chief Convenor Pradip Dutta Roy said that relations between Barak and Brahmaputra valleys had improved considerably over the past few years through sustained efforts to promote mutual understanding and cultural harmony. However, the Sribhumi incident and its aftermath had seriously damaged the goodwill built between the two regions.

Dutta Roy said that people of Barak Valley had always been peace-loving and receptive to Assamese culture. He cited the popularity of legendary cultural icons Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg across the valley. He also referred to the condolence meetings and musical tributes organised across Barak Valley following Zubeen Garg’s demise.

He pointed out that Bihu performances had become a regular feature of cultural programmes and wedding celebrations in the region. The invitation extended to Bihu performers to participate in the immersion procession organised by Hindustan Club was another example of cultural acceptance and goodwill, he added.

However, Dutta Roy alleged that inflammatory remarks by a young participant from the Assamese group and what he described as a sustained hostile campaign by certain media outlets based in the Brahmaputra Valley had seriously affected relations between the two regions.

Referring to the police action following the incident, he alleged that innocent Bengali youths were physically assaulted, wrongfully detained and implicated in criminal cases on the basis of fabricated allegations. He also questioned the apparent contradiction between the public statement of the Sribhumi Superintendent of Police, who reportedly described the incident as an ordinary altercation involving intoxicated individuals, and the subsequent registration of cases portraying it as a premeditated act of communal hostility.

Dutta Roy questioned whether the district police administration was functioning under effective supervision and maintained that the removal of the Officer-in-Charge from active duty was not enough to establish administrative impartiality.

He demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged police excesses and called for the suspension of personnel found responsible for assaulting innocent youths and elderly citizens. He also questioned the manner in which Prandhon Hazarika, who was reportedly questioned by police and later released on a personal bond, had been dealt with during the investigation.

Speaking on the occasion, BDF Media Cell Convenor Joydeep Bhattacharjee said that a significant section of the people of Barak Valley had lost confidence in the administration as well as local elected representatives. He said the organisation was facing growing public pressure from people urging it to revive the demand for a separate administrative and political identity for Barak Valley.

The BDF representatives appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene personally and ensure an impartial investigation into the entire episode. They demanded that all those found guilty, irrespective of their background, be brought to justice.

The organisation also sought appropriate administrative and legal action over allegedly inflammatory remarks made by a college teacher from Badarpur and a medical practitioner from Hailakandi. It further demanded that notices be issued to the concerned Guwahati-based television channels over allegations of broadcasting unverified and inflammatory narratives against the people of Barak Valley, with appropriate action taken in accordance with the law.

The BDF maintained that the people of Barak Valley were not seeking confrontation with any community but wanted justice, administrative accountability and equal treatment under the law. Emphasising the need to restore public confidence, the organisation said lasting harmony between Barak and Brahmaputra valleys could only be maintained through mutual respect, responsible public discourse and impartial administration of justice.

The press statement was issued by Hrishikesh Dey, Convenor of the Barak Democratic Front.